Exploring the Gilded Age: Key Events and Impacts

The video discusses the Gilded Age, a period of rapid industrialization and wealth accumulation in the U.S. from 1865 to 1898. Despite its name, coined by Mark Twain, the era was marked by political corruption and stark wealth disparities. Key figures like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and JP Morgan amassed fortunes, often through unethical means. Immigrants faced harsh living conditions in tenements, as documented by Jacob Riis. The video contrasts the opulence of the wealthy with the poverty of the working class, raising questions about responsibility and power dynamics.

What marks the beginning of the Gilded Age?

• The introduction of industrialization

• The end of the Civil War in 1865

• The start of the Spanish-American War

• The publication of Mark Twain's 'The Gilded Age'

Who coined the term 'Gilded Age'?

• Andrew Carnegie

• Mark Twain

• J.P. Morgan

• John D. Rockefeller

Which industry was NOT a major part of the Gilded Age's economic expansion?

• Software

• Oil

• Banking

• Steel

What was a common method used by the 'titans of industry' to amass wealth during the Gilded Age?

• Innovative product development

• Political corruption

• Charitable activities

• Environmental conservation

Which scandal was associated with Ulysses S. Grant's presidency?

• Credit Mobilier

• Iran-Contra

• Teapot Dome

• Watergate

What was the origin of many immigrants during the Gilded Age?

• Asia

• Latin America

• Eastern and Southern Europe

• Australia

Who was Jacob Riis?

• A photographer

• A businessman

• A banker

• A politician

What did Jacob Riis document in his photography?

• The lives of the wealthy

• The construction of skyscrapers

• The conditions of the poor and immigrants

• The landscapes of America

What was the cost to stay in a tenement room as shown in Riis's 'Five Cents a Spot'?

• Twenty-five cents a night

• One dollar a night

• Ten cents a night

• Five cents a night

What question does the Gilded Age pose regarding wealth and poverty?

• How can wealth be distributed more evenly?

• Why are some people wealthy while others are poor?

• How can poverty be eradicated?

• What investments make the most money?